Botary printing machinery



May 22, 1928.

L. W. CLAYBOURN ROTARY PRINTING MACHINERY 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 25, 1925 m m w May 22, 1928 L. W. CLAYBOURN ROTARY PRINTING MACHINERY Filed May 25, 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR A May 22, 1928.

L. W. CLAYBOURN ROTARY PRINTING MACHINERY .Filed May 25. 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 22, 1928.

1,670,569 L. W. CLAYBOURN I ROTARY PRINTING MACHINERY Filgd May 25. 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 INVENTOR. I |33 I 1 W v May 22, 1928.

1,670,569 L. W. CLAYBOURN ROTARY PRINTING MACHINERY Filed May 25, 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 l\ m \\\\\TI;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ g 21 m r l! g 3 I I l l I I I g l I I I i 2 II I m s l I ll II n o D r O l O I I I O O n 4 r g a g E: l H I N2 I l I I I E E5 r .0 Ll r E 3 l n v 1' Q g ['1 g m M 2 g INVENTOR.

May 22, 1928.

L. W. CLAYBOURN ROTARY PRINTING MACHINERY 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed May 25. 1925 INVE/V TOR.

May 22, 1928. 1,670,569

L. w. CLAYBOURN ROTARY PRINTING MACHINERY Filed May 25, 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 fi l5 Ii'g. Z 5..

\\\H l A Patented Mia} 1923.

LESLIE W. CLAYBOURN, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

ROTARY PRINTING MACHINERY.

Application filed May 25, 1925.

lily invei'ition relates to rotary printing machinery, especially of the character of that employing a number of plate cylinders for printing with a plurality of colors at one passage of the paper through the machine.

It is the object of my invention to provide a rotary printing machine with novel. means whereby ready access to the plate cylinders and the means for inking the same may he had; further. to provide novel means whereby separation and approach between the inking mechanism and the printing mechanism is obtained; 'lilrthc'r, to provide novel, means for driving the inking mechanism when associated with the printing meclmnism as well as when separated there- 'trom; further, to provide novel arrangement oi? the printing mechanism with relation to the delivery mechanism in order that the printed paper may arrive at delivery position substantially dry to prevent offset of the same; further, to provide novel elevating mechanism for an operator, the elevator being arranged to be moved up and down between the inking mechanism and the printing mechanism when the latter are in separated relation; further, to provide novel control means for controlling the approach hetw on the inking mechanism and the printing mechanism when the elevating mechanism is in obstructing relation; further, to provide novel control means for the elevating mechanism whereby to maintain the elevating mechanism out of action during its obstructed relation thereof; and, further, to provide novel means for arranging the inking mechanism and the printing mechanism in operative relationand holding the same in such operative relation.

The invention will be further readily understood from the following description and claims, and from the drawings, in which latter:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved device, showing the inker stand separated from the printing stand and the elevator in partly raised position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the gear side of the machine, and the inker stand and printin tand in connected relation.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of my improved de- Serial No. 32,609.

vice, showing the inker stand and the printing stand in separated relation.

Fig. 4, is a vertical cross-section of the printing mechanism, taken on the line 4-4l of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, partly broken away, and showing the operating means for moving the inker stand.

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail of the supporting means for the inker stand, taken in the plane of the line 66 of Fig. 5.

l ig. '1' is a horizontal sectional view of the moving means for the inker stand, taken in the plane oi the line 7"? of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the automatic electric switching means in the electric circuit for the electric motor for moving the inkor stand.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section, taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 2, showing a detail of the inker driving means. a

Fig. 10 is a horizontal axial section, taken in the plane of the line 1010 oi Fig. 2, and partly ln'oken away, showing the auxiliary driving means for the inking mechanism in. connected relation.

Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the line 1111 of Fig. 1, partly broken away, showing the elevator mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a vertical section of the same taken in the plane of the line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a detail of the same in horizontal section, taken in the plane of the line 13-13 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 1 1 is a side elevation of the elevating mechanism, partly broken away, and partly in vertical section on the line 14-14 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 15 is a vertical section, taken in the plane of the line 1515 of Fi 3, showing a detail of the connecting means between the inker stand and the printing stand in connected relation.

Fig. 16 is a vertical section of the same in unlocked relation, taken in the plane of the line 16-16 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a similar section of the same in locked relation.

Fig. 18 is a horizontal section of the same,

thereof in usual manner.

taken in the plane of the line 1818 of Fig. 15; and,

Fig.19 is a perspective detail view of one of the locking fingers.

The printing mechanisn'i of llly llllljlllwetl device is exemplified as comprising impression cylinders 21, 22, which are shown superposed in. the printing stand lixc-dly mounted on a suitable base 24.. A. transfer cylinder 25 is located between the impression cylinders. Plate cylinders 26, 27, E28, :29, are shown coacting with the impression cylinders, a pair of each of the plate cylinders coacting with each of the impression cylinders for forming the printing couples. The plate cylinders are shown in superposed arrangement. (See Fig. 4.)

F or convenience and clarity the material being printed will be herein referred to as paper, and the printing surfaces being printed as located on printing plates 31, although such printing surfaces may be located on other suitable forms, sheets or parts, the term printing plate lllCllilLlllltl all such agencies, and the term plate cylinder includingthe rotating bodies on which the printing surfaces are located. The printing plates are suitably secured in usual manner to the plate supporting peripheries oi? the plate cylinders.

The paper is instanced as printed in sheets, and as .ted from a feed board 35, on which the respective sheets are respectively positioned in usual manner against usual guides :56, 37, operated in usual'manner, to a teed cylinder 38, the grippers 39 oi" which are arranged to take the sheets from the feed board and feed thesame to the grippers 4.0 of the lower impression cylinder 2].. The grippers 39 are mounted on a gripper shatt ll suitably journaled in the feed cylinder and operated in suitable manner. The feed cylinder is fixed to a shaft 42 journaled in suitable hearings in the printing stand.

The impressioncylinders are respectively fixed to shafts 44-, lo, rotatable in suitable bearings .in the printing st-and, w rich bearings are suitably adjustable vertically and horizontally in usual. manner. The transfer cylinder is fixed to a shaft 46, journaled in suitable bearings in'the printing; stand. The plate cylinders arerespectively fixed to shafts 47, 48, il-9, 50, journaled in suitable bearings in the printing stand, which bearings are suitably adjustable vertically and horizontally in usual manner. Suitable tripping mechanism for the printing couples may also be employed.

The impression cylinders are exemplified as respectivelyprovided with tympan sheets 51 stretched about the impressing sectors 52 The impression cylinders are respectively provided with grippers 40, 53, on gripper shafts 54, 55,

suit-ably mounted in the respective impression cylinders and operated in usual manner. The transfer cylinder is provided with grippers 56 on a gripper shaft 57 suitably mounted therein and operated in. usual manner.

The lll'lPI'GSSlOII cylinders are located one above the other, with the transfer cylinder located between. the same, the impression cylinders and the transfer cylinder being: instanced as having axes of rotation located in suliistantially the same vertical. plane.

The plate cylii'iders are exemplified as mounted one above the other. their axes of rotation being in substantially the same vertical plane, with a pair of the plate cylinders reacting with each of the impre.--.-sion cylinders.

The paper being; printed, after being received by the grippers at the lower in:-

. on cylinder is moved by the latter past lower pair of rotating plate cylinders, grippers of the lower impression cylinder delivering the iu'lvancinge e of the paper to the grippers oi. the transfer cylinder, which in turn deliver the advancing edge of the paper to the grippers of the upper rotating impression cylinder, whercupon the paper is printed by the plate cylinders coacting with the latter.

The arrangements oli'the cylinders is such as to provide close arrangement of the cylinders and easy access to the same, provides a superposed arrangement of the plate cylinders, whereby an operator may readily adjust the same and the printing plates thereon, and whereby inking mechanism, also arranged in superposed manner, may be caused to coact with the plat-e cylinders, for inking the same, and. whereby the plate cylinders and the inking mechanisms may be mounted on stands, and. means provided whereby separation and approach between the stands may be effected lt'or ready attention to the plate cylinders and the inking rollers, and whereby elevating mechanism may be provided between the stands for elevating the operator to suitable positions between the stands.

It will be understood that features of my invention. relate to printing machinery of large size and comparatively great width and height, and that means are provided in the from of an elevator whereby an operator is enabled to walk lengthwise of the cylinders and inking rollers,and to be also readily elevated to different heights for attention to the various parts in the lengths oi? the cyliiiiders and inking mechanisms, and also to the various superposed cylinders and inking.

mechanisms.

The impression cylinders are provided with bearers 61 with which bearers 2 on the plate cylinders coact for forming frictional rolling contact between the same. The printing surfaces onthc respective printing plates are in the cylinders of said bearers,

and the surfaces of the paper to be printed on the respective tympan sheets are in the cylinders of the bearers on the respective impression cylinders, for forming true rolling contacts between the respective printing surfaces and the surfaces being printed, so that the printed lines will be correct reproductions of the printing lines of the printing surfaces.

The shaft 16 of the transfer cylinder 25, has a gear G l fixed thereto. This gear is a double width gear. (tears (35, (S6, respectively fast on the shafts 414-, 45, of the inun'ession cylinders 21, mesh with the inner end of the gear 1 for rotating the impression cylinders. A gear (57 meshes with the outer end of the double gear 6 1- and .is fixed to a shaft 68, journaled in a hearing (it), of a bearing stand 70, fixed to an extension of the base of the machine. (See Figs. 2 and 3.)

A pulley 71 is fixed to said shaft, a chain belt 72 passing thereabout and about a pulley 73 fixed to the armature shaft of an electric motor 741.

Gears 76, 77, 78, 79. are fixed respectively to the shafts 17, -18, 4.9 and of the respective plate cylinders. The gears 76. 77, mesh with the gear of the lower in'ipression cylinder, and the gears 78, 79, mesh with the gear 66 of the upper impression cylinder.

The shaft 42 of the feed cylinder 38 has a gear 80 fixed thereto which meshes with the gear 65 of the lower impression cylinder.

Suitable locating means or gear segments may be provided in the meshing gears on the cylinders at the gripper positions for causing registry between the cylinders at the moments of sheet taking and sheet transfer, and at the moments of initiation of printing by the plate cylinders, for causing proper printing with relation to the paper and proper registry between the printing lines printed by the different plate cylinders.

There is an inking mechanism for each of the plate cylinders these inking mechanisms being shown generally at 81, 82, 83, 84. Each of the inking mechanisms comprises suitable'form rollers 85, a suitable series of distributing rollers 86 which may include endwise vibrating rollers. (See Figs. 1 and 2.) There is further a suit-able ink fountain 87 having a fountain roller 88 and suitable means for regulating the supply of ink therefor, and a ductor roll 89 arranged to reciprocate between the fountain roller and the adjacent inking roller. Suitable means are provided for vibrating the rollers and reciprocating the ductor roller not more particularly shown because these may be of usual construction and are well known.

The inking roller mechanisms are superposed on an inker stand 91. The form rollers of the respective sets of inking rollers are shown in superposed relation, being shown in vertical planes, for coaction with the similarly superposed plate cylinders, for supplying the printing surfaces on said plate cylinders with the proper ink of various colors for proper printing the paper thereby.

Means are provided for causing separation and approach between the inker stand and the printing stand comprising in the present instance guideways 92 on the base 21 and guideways 93 on the inker stand. The inker stand is provided with depending aprons 94, fixed thereto as by bolts 95, and having eoaction with the sides of the base, as along guideways 96. For ease of operation, rollers 97 are interposed between the base and the inker stand, the said rollers being mounted in roller cages 98. (See Figs. 1, 5 and 6.)

The separation and approach between the inker stand and printing stand is exemplified by a movement of the inker stand on the roller supports. Power means may be provided for moving the inker stand, comprising racks 101, on the aprons 9 1, with which pinions 102 mesh. The pinions are fixed to a cross shaft 103 journaled in bearings 104- in the base, and having a worm wheel 105 fixed thereto. Protecting hoods 106 are received over the ends of the shaft and its pinions.

A worm 111 meshes with the worm wheel. This worm is fast on a shaft 112 journaled in bearings 113, 114, of a housing 115 fixed to the base, and provided with a bushing 116 which forms the bearing 101 received in a bore 117 in the base. (See Figs. 5 and 7.)

A shaft 119 is secured to the shaft 112 by means of clutch coupling 120, and is journaled in a bearing 121 on a block 122 fixed to the base. The shaft 119 has a pulley 1223 fixed thereto, about which a chain belt 124; is received, so as to rotate the same from a similar pulley 125 fixed to the armature shaft 126 of an electric motor 127 suitably fixed to an extension of the base.

The motor 127 is a reversible electric motor which, when revolving in one direction. will cause the inker stand to move toward the printing stand, and when revolved in the opposite direction, will cause the inker stand to move away from the printing stand. The operation of the motor is controlled by an electric circuit, a part of which is shown at 128, in which there are suitable switches 133,

131 normally spring retracted for normal open relation of the circuit in order that continued manual pressure on the respective switch buttons is necessary for continued movement of the inker stand in either direction. (See Fig. 8.)

There is furthermore an automatic switch in this circuit. so arranged that when the elevator 129, hereinafter described, is in obstructing relation, rotation of the electric motor 127 cannot take place. Thus the elevator has a part 130 of the electric circuit ing the same.

the shaft 148, and has a for the electric motor mounted thereon, there being electric contacts 131, 132, between said partial circuit and the remaining portion of the electric circuit, so that, upon movement of the elevator, these electric contacts will se iarate 'lor tweaking thecircuit and, when the elevator is in unobstructing position, the said contacts will contact each other automatically 'lor cmnpleting the circuit.

The driving means for rotating and otherwise operating the inking rollers oi? the respective of inking BIGCliilflli-lllie' comprise an upright shaft 135 mounted in bearings of suitable gear boxes 136,137. 136, on the inker stand. This upright shaft has bevel gears 13f) fined thereto which mesh with bevel gears 146 on shai'ts 14:1 journaled in the gear boxes 137. The said shafts have bevel gears 14-2 fixed t-liGilQtO, which mesh with bevel. gears 1 153 on transverse sha'i'ts 1411-. of one of the distrilniting rollers 86, for rotating the inker rollers and otherwise (.i; crat- (See Means are provided for rotatii' 1 the driv ing means on the inker frame, for operat n the inker rollers when said inker stand is in approach relation to the printing stand. and auxiliary driving means are provided there-- For, when the inker stand is distanced from the printing stand. A pinion 147 is fixed to a shaft 1418 jonrnaled in a bearing 1 19 oi? a bracket 1.50 extending from the printing frame. and meshes with the gear 641-. (See Figs. 2 and 9.) A bevel gear 151 is fixed to bevel gear 152 meshinntherewith. The bevel gear 152 is fined to-a shaft 153 journaled in a bearing 15% oil the bracket 150. The shaft .153 has one of the members 155 of a toothed clutch 156 fixed.

thereto.

An auxiliary electric motor 161 is mounted on and fixed to an extension 162 of the base of the machine. The armature shaft 163 of this motor has a. pulley 164: thereon. about which a chain belt 165 is received. This belt is also received about a pulley 166 on a shaft 167 ournaled in bearings 168, 169. The pulleys and belt are located in a housing 170 supported. by the base, this housing also con.-

taining the bearing 166.

Ahousing 171. is supported by said extension of the base, and has a. sleeve 172 slidable lengthwise therein on. guideways 173. A spline key and groove connection 174: pre vents rotation of said sleeve. The bearing 169 is located in said sleeve.

A clutch member 177 of a friction. clutch 178, shown as a cup-clutch, is fixed to rotate with the shaft 167, the boss of said clutchmember extending'within the bearing 169.

A spring 181 is located about the shaft 167 between said sleeve and the bottom of said housing 171 for normally urging the sleeve and the clutch member 17 7 outwardly.

Clutch connecting means are provided on the inker stand and comprise clutchmeinbers 182, 183, which cooperate with the respective clutch members 155, 177. The clutch member 182 is shown as a. toothed clutch member, its teeth. cooperation with the teeth of the clutchanember 155, the res iectivc teeth be ing preferably sharp at their ends for ready enn'a gren'ien t between the teeth.

The (l1ltClPlhGl'ilbQi 182 is tilted to a shaft 165 journaled in a bearing 166 on the inker stand and in a bearing: in the gear casing 138. it has a bevel gear 1187 fixed therto, which meshes with a bevel gear 166 lined to the sha'i t 1255.

The clutch-ineniber 183 is av friction clutch member coinplei'neiital. to the fl .tion clutch member 177, and is fixed to a shaft 16$) journaled in a bearing 190 on the inker stand and in a. bearing 191 in the .o'ear casing 1136. it has a. bevel gear 192 hxed thereto, which meshes with a bevel gear 192:? on the upright shatt 135. y

The shaft 169 further .may have a collar 19 1-. listed thereto. provided with sockets 15 5, in. which. a suitable. stem. or tool inav be ins-serted tor rota ting the shaft lhihand thereby manually operating; the inking rollers independently ojt thepower mo -ins lor operat ing the same in slight steps in either direc tion. y

A cover 196 is iixed. against rotation on a bracket 197 fixed tothe inker stand. The housing 171 has a. cover 196 i i. ed thereto. These covers are shown. off cup form and a1 ranged to be received one within the other. T hey are rotative-ly stationary and :liorin protectine; means about the rotating inen'ibers of the clutch 178, and these covers and the clutch members are tclescopingly received one within the other when said clutch is in engaged position. The spring; 181 insures close operative driving relation between the friction clutch members, and permits the inker stand to be moved away from the printing stand to greater or less extent while .maintaining such driving relation.

Means are provided for definitely positioning the inker stand and the printing stand with relation to each other when in approach relation. See Fig. 1, 3, 15, 16, 17 and. 18.) It is desirable for accuracy in proper inking of the printing forms that the form rollers be returned to proper contact relations with the printing surfaces on the plate cylinders, and means are provided for accomplishingt-his and, also for maintaining the inking stand in definite. relation to the printing stand when in connected relation, and means are provided whereby such definite relation is maintained throughout the height and width of such stands. The

stands are in the present invention of sub- 1 stantial width and height.

The side framesfZOl of the printing stand and the side frames. 202 of the inkerstand are provided with complemental contact faces 203, 20%, at each of the sides of the stands, which are arranged to be in contact when said stands are in proper association.

In order to insure such proper association and maintain the same during the printing operations, I provide means for drawing said stands together. Thus the printing stand provided with brackets 205 secured thereto, as by means of bolts 206, passing through flanges on said brackets and threaded into the side frames of the printing stand. These brackets have stems 207 received in sockets 208 in said brackets, the stems having shoulders 209 resisted by shoulders 210 on said brackets. These stems are arranged in pairs, the outer ends of the stems being provided with jaws 211 having inclined engaging faces 212 in sockets 212-5 therein.

The inker stand is provided with means coacting with said jaws to draw said stands together, instanced as comprising slides 215, 216, shown in the nature of spools and slid able in bores 217, 218 in the side frames of said inker stand. These slides are axially movable in said bores, but prevented from turning therein, as by means of a spline key and groove. connection 215) between each of said slides and the side frame member.

Each of said slides is provided with re cess'es 221, in one portion of its length, and with slanting faces in another portion of its length, the latter faces coacting with the jaws 211 on the complemental members of said clamps. The side frame members of the inker stand are provided with sockets at the respective sides of said slides, for receiving the ends of the complemental jaws.

lVhen the recesses 221 in said slides are arranged in line with the jaws, the stands may be moved together, and said stands may be drawn together in clamped relation by axial movements of said slides, causing the inclined faces on said slides to climb lengthwise of the inclined faces of said jaws, for drawing said stands together, the stands being maintained locked in clamped relation during printing operations.

he means for atrial movements of said slides are shown in the form of shafts 225 which extend crosswise of the machine. The slide at one side of the machine is held lengthwise to said shaft, as between collars 226, 227, suitably fixed to said shaft, as by pinning the same thereto. The other end of the shaft is threaded. as shown at having threaded connection with the threaded bore of the other slide. Each of the shafts is provided with a handle 229.

Rotation of th v shaft. causes approach or separation between said slides. The slide 215 is provided with a shoulder 230, and the collar 226 forms a shoulder for the slide 216. the shoulders being at the proximate ends of said slides. These shoulders coact with the outer ends of the walls of the bores in which said slides move, for limiting endwise movements of said slides in release directions. When said shaft 225 is rotated in one direction, a separation between said slides will be caused, until said shoulders 22(3, 250, coact with the ends of said bores, in which relation the recesses 221 in said slides coincide with the positions of the jaws 211, in order that the stands may be moved together. In order to clamp the stands together, the shaft 225 is rotated in the opposite direction, which causes approach between said slides, and movement of the inclined faces thereon lengthwise of the inclined faces on said jaws.

The movements of the respective slides is selectively dependent on the resistances to said respective slides. If there is greater resistance to movement of one slide, the other slide is moved, until its resistance is the greater, when the first slide will again move axially in clamping direction. If the resistances to both sides are equal their movements will be equal.

By means of this arrangement the clamping movements at the respective parts of the 'complen-iental faces between the stands may be equalized, so that strains on the respective portions of the stands will be avoided, and so that when said stands are in clamped relation all parts of the stands may be clamped with equal forces.

Two of these clamping arrangements are shown at each side of the machine superposed, and in line with each other crosswise of the machine. The clamps are preferably located between the lower plate cylinders and their respective inking sets, and between the upper plate cylinders and their respective inking sets, being further shown in substantially the horizontal planes of the respective superposed impression cylinders.

Means are provided whereby when the stands are in separated relations, the operator may be elevated to various positions for attention to the different plate cylinders and the Llili'erent inking mechanisms, as well as the superposed printing cylinders and transfer cylinder therebetween, and whereby the various parts in the lengths of these respective mechanisms maybe given attention. (See Figs. 1, 11, 12 and 1d.)

Thus an elevator 129 is arranged to be moved up and down between the inker stand and printing stand when said stands are in separated relation. This elevator is shown comprising a platform 236 mounted on brackets 23?. The brackets are connected by suitable cross bars 238, shown as angle irons, and may be additionally connected by a cross-bar 239, shown as an I-beam, such brackets and cross-bars being suitably rigidly secured together.

The brackets are secured to threaded blocks. 241, as by bolts 242. The blocks are guided, on guideways 243, secured to the respective side frames of the printing stand. Elevating screws 24st are journalcd in bean ings 2&5, 2lG,.in said respective side frames, parallel with said Jguidcways, and have threaded connections with. the blocks 24H. Guide rollers 24-7 are journaled on studs 248 in said brackets, and are guided on one "1? the faces oi. said guideways.

A bevel ear 251 fixed to the upper end oi each oii said elevating; screws. lclach of these bevel gears is meshed by e. bevel gear 252 on a cross shaft 25?; journaled in bear-- ings 254. on the respective side frames, and

raving a pulley i355 lined thereon, :Sllliflblt,

[or receiving a chain belt 36 received about .illltl pulley and a pulley 257 on the armature shaft of an electric motor 2533,, fixed to a bracket on printing stand.

The electric motor 258 is a iL-(wersible motor, and is cont-rolled by an. electric circuit having switching mechanism therein comprising a pair of push buttons Bill, 2 52, normally springpresscd for iiuictive relation of said electric motor, to compel continued manual pressure on said respective push buttons for continued operation oi the elevator in either direction.

These switches are mounted in a switch box 265 which is arranged to move with the elevator, so that the switch buttons may be continuously located at equal elemtion above the elevator platform, in order that the operator may readily find the same at various elevations of the elevator. For accomplishing this, the switch box is lined to a block 266, which has a threaded bore 26'4", in which one of the elevating screws is threaded. The block is threaded to said elevating screw in spaced relation to the it will be belovi the operative mechanisms and obstructing parts of the inking stand, in the present exeinpli'iication.

The electric coni'iections between the switch box 265 and the electric motor include flexible connections the form of.

a cable 271 which includes the necessary electric Wires, one end of the cable being fixedly received in the switch box, e};- emplified at 27 The other end of the cable passes fixedly into an inclosing piping 273 leading in suitable manner to the electric motor.

The cable or flexible electric Wiring includes a slack portion which is present to Y compensate tor the elevations of the elevator and switch box. This slclr portion is an ranged locpv/ise, as in the term of a loop 275 in a channel 276 eltending cro. is-ae oi" lhe elevator in the bottom thercor about sheaves 277, 278. The sheave L77 rota' about a pin 279 in lined posi ion on the elevator. The sheave 2TH rotates about a pin 255i) l" id to a slide plate 26]. slidable in guideivm 5262 in the wall oi said chai'incl.

2532i a hanged to autoinatirally A. s rinp; 7 take up the slack in, said loop or to yield to the pulling strain on said loop as the eievator descends or ascends. One end. ()ii said spring is fixed to said slide and the other end is fixed to the top Wall of said channel.

The stretch 28 1 of said cable is of constant length, the lower end of said stretch being),- listened in a spool in the upper Wall oi? said channel, through which said cable ,aasscs into said channel. The cable then ilorms a loop about said sheaves, and continues about a, sheave 286 rotating on a pin 28'? secured to the elevator, the cable continuing to the '1 e 272?.

in orrler to prevent accidental contact to the operator on the platform with the inlaing rollers, obstructing means are providci'l between the inking mechanism ani'l the opeiators position on the platform. These obz-structing means are shown as bars 290, 291 which extend crossi e oil? the machine and are mounted on ln'ackets 292, 293:), ex-

tending toward the priizti'ng stand. for" positioning the crossbars a d i.-.-;tance away from the vertical planes in which the inkingrollers are located. (See Figs. 1., and 11.)

l i lien said stands are in. connected relations. the bars 290 and their brackets 292 are received in the space between the inders of the respective pairs ofplatc cylinde 1n coincident llOi'lI IOIlljfil planes with the iinprc :dfill cylinders. and the cro Q91 and its brackets 293 are located, helwveci'i said respective pairs of plate ,;yliiu 1. and in coincident horizontal pl the transfer cylinder.

The paper after being printed passes from the upper impression cyliiider along tal-1eoil bars 29% and'along traveling delivery tapes 295 formed loopivise and movaljile in suitable manner about rolls 296, 29.7, suitably driven. The iltlflll cdw :m at; p al sheets are arranged o be tal: n between the jaws of suitable grip iicrs 2953 on gripper bars 299 extending betvi'een .SljllbllJlC raproi'r chains 300 traveling about sprocket wheels 301, 302, suitably driven, suitable means being provided for causing said grippers to automatically open and close so to take said sheets, and to release said sheets for all) ion

lIiU

delivery above and upon a delivery platform 303 suitably suspended and operated. The delivery tapes extend above the feeding table or platform, and the sprocket chains are of substantial length, for causing drying of the ink on the paper prior to delivery on the stack on the delivery platform, so as to prevent off-setbetween printed sheets.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

i. In a rotary printing machine, the combination of a printing stand, printing couples including plate cylinders rolatingly mounted thereon, an inker stand, a set of inking rollers including form rollers for each of said plate-cylinders rotatingly mounted on said inker stand, a drive-shaft extending up and down on said inker stand, driving means on said inker stand between the latter and each of said sets oi inking rollers, means causing separation and approach between said stands, and driving means for said drive-shalt at each oi the limits of said movements of said inker stand.

2. In a rotary printing machine, the combination of a printing stand, printing couples including plate cylinders rotntingly mounted thereon, an inker stand, inking rollers rotatingly mounted thereon, a driving n'ieans for said cylinders, a driving means for said inking rollers, driving connections therefor mounted on. said inker stand, and means for moving said inker stand toward and from said printing stand, said driving means and driving connections arranged in axial alinement parallal with the movement of said inker frame, said driving connec tions movable with said inker stand into i'lriving relation with said respective driving means by said movements of said inker stand.

3. In a rotary printing machine, the combination of a printing unit, cylinders rotaing therein, an inker unit comprising inking rollers, and means for rotating said inking rollers including oppositely disposed cl utchmembers, power means for rotating said cylinders, a clutch member mounted on said printingunit having operative connection with said power means and arranged to be engaged by one of the clutch members on said inker unit when said inker unit is in c I" said printing unit,

ans to mo unit t'nvard and from said printing unit, ane a power driven clutch member opposed to said first-named clutchanember and arranged to be em; god

by the other oi oppositely disprr latch-members of said inker unit when said Ti 2: unit moved away from said. printunit.

. in a rotary printing machine, the combination of a printing stand, prinlii'ig couples including plate cylinders rotatingly mounted thereon, an inker stand, a set of inking rollers including form rollers for each of said plate cylinders rotatingly mounted on said inker stand, means for moving said inker stand toward and from said printingstand, a substantially vertical drive shaft on said inker stand, driving means on said inker stand between the latter and each of said sets of inking rollers, driving means on said. printing stand for said printing couples, a clutch-member at said printing stand driven thereby, auxiliary driving means including a ellitch-member spaced from said printing stand, and clutch members on said inker stand having driv-- ing connections with said substantially vertical shaft and arranged respectively for cooperation with said iirst-named clutch-membars at the respective limits of movements oi said inker stand.

In a rotary printing machine, the combination of a printing stand, 'n'intinp. couples including plate cylinders rotatingly mounted thereon, an inker stand, a set of inking rollers including form rollers, for each of said plate cylinders rotatingl mounted on said inker stand, means for moving said inker stand toward and trom said printing stand, a substantially vertical drive shaft on said inker stand, driving means on said inker stand between the latter and each of said sets of inking rollers. driving means on said printing stand for said printing couples, a clutch-member on said printing stand driven thereby and located at an elevation between said printing couples, auxiliary driving means spaced from said printing stand and including a clutch-member at substantially the level of the lower end of said substantially vertical shaft, and clutch members at different elevations on said inker stand having driving connections with said substantially vertical shaft and arranged respectively for cooperation with said first-named clutch-members at the respective limits of movements oi said inker stand.

(5. In a rotary printing machine, the combination of a printing stand, printing couples including plate cylinders rotatingly mounted thereon, an inker stand. a set of inking rollers including form rollers for each of said plate cylinders rotatingly mounted on said inker stand, said plate cylinders superposed in said printing stand and said torn: rollers superposed in said inker stand, inker driving means on said inker stand for said inking rollers, oppositely disposed clutch members on said inker stand il'iercfor, means for moving said inker stand toward and from said printing stand. driving means at said printing stand for said inker driving means, and driving means for said inker driving means distanced from said printing stand, said respective last two All named driving means comprising oppositely disposed clutch membe with which said first-named clutch members coact at the re spective limits of movements of maid inher stand, said clutclianeinbra's including a resiliently retreating clutch member, the retreat whereof is caused during clutch engagement and arranged for rotating said inker driving means throughout a limited rz'inge of traveling movement of said inker stand. i

7. in a rotary printing machine, the combination of a printing stand, printing couples including plate eyliuderi-i rotatingly nioui'lted thereon, an inker stand, inking rollers including form rollers rotatingly moimted thereon, said plate cylinders superposed on said printing stand and said form rollers'superposedon said inker stai'id, said form rollers and said. plate cylinders presented toward each other on said respective stands, inker driving means on said inker stand for said inking rollers, oppositely disposed clutch members on said inker stand therefor, means for moving said inker stand toward and from said printing stand, driving means at said printing stand including a clutch member for said ink-er driving means, driving means including a clutch member for said inker driving means distanced from said printing stand, a cover for said last-named clutch-member, said respective last two named clutch-members being oppositely disposed for coaction of said first-named clutch members therewith at the respective limits of movements of said inlrer stand, and a cover for one of said firstnamed clutch members, one 01 said covers received within the other during said coaction of said clutch members.

8. In a rotary printingmachine, the combinationof a printing stand, a pair of superposed impression cylinders thereon, a pair of plate cylinders for each of said impression cylinders, said plate cylinders in super posed arrangement, an inker stand, a set of inking rollers thereon for each of said plate cylinders, means causing separation and. approach between said stands, and locking means between said stands located at substantially the levels of said respective impression cylinders, said respective locking means comprising means for drawing said stands together.

9. In a rotary printing machine, the combination of a printing stand, a pair of superposed impression. cylinders thereon, a pair of plate cylinders for each of said impression cylinders, said plate cylinders in superposed arrangement, an inker stand, a set of inking rollers thereon for each of said plate cylinders, means causing separation and approach between said stands, and locking means between said stands at substantially the elevations of said impression cylinders,

each of said locking means comprising means at each side or said stands for drawing said stands together, and said last-named means at the respective sides of said stands connected for conibined n'iovements.

1.0. In a printing mavhine,'the co-n'ibination oi a printing, stand, an ,inker stand, means causing separation and ttpplOlLCll between said stai'ids, means for hacking said stands together comprising a linger on one of said stands, the other of said stands having a recess for receiving said linger, said linger provided with a slanting shoulder, a sleeve on said other of said stands err-,- tending at substantially right angles to said linger, said sleeve having a shniiting shoulder coacting with said first-named shoulder, and means for axially moving said sleeve where by to draw said stands toward each other having a recess for receiving said finger,

said linger provided with a slanting shout der, a sleeve on said other 0 said stands er.- tending at substantially right angles to said finger, said sleeve having a slanting shoulder coacting with said first-named shoulder, means for moving said shoulders into nonregistering positions for permitting separa tion between said stands, and means for airially moving said sleeve whereby to draw said stands toward each other by the eoaction be tween said slanting shoulders.

12-. In a printii machine, the combination of a printing stand, an inker stand, means causing approach and separation between said stands, and means to lock said standstogether comprising a pair or fingers on one of said stands and a recess in the other of said stance in which said fingers are received, said fingers provided with slanting shoulders, a sleeve slidably mounted in said other of said stands, said sleeve provided with slanting shoulders coacting with said first-named shoulders, and means for moving said sleeve axially whereby to cause sliding movement between said slanting shoulders for drawing said stands to gether.

13. In a printing tion oi? a printing i'i'iachine, the combinastand, an inker stand,

means causing separation and approach be-,

tween said stands, and means to lock said stands together comprising a finger on one of said stands and a recess in the other of slanting shoulder coacting with said fii'stnecting means between said sleeves and said name shoulder, means for moving said cross-rod for compensatingly moving said sleeve axially whereby to cause sliding movesleeves axially for equal clamping forces 10 ment between said slanting shoulders for applied at both sides of saidstands.

drawing said stands together, said comple- In testimony whereof, I have hereunto mental finger and shoulders located at each signed my name.

side of said stands, a cross-rod, and con- LESLIE W. CLAYBOURN. 

